Stoke shelving front unit



STORE SHELVING FRONT UNIT INVENTOR .15, Mureooc/l BY utwA/ W ATTORNEYS J. B. MURDC CH STORE SHELVING FRONT UNIT INVENTOR J. 5. Mu/mocfi BY ATTORNEYS.

July 24, 1928.

July 24,1928. 1,678,522

J. B. MURDOCH STORE SHELVING FRONT UNIT Filed April 29, 1.927 4 INVENTOR J. 5, MU/ROOC/v ATTORNEYS Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STORE SHELVING FRONT UNIT.

Application filed April 29,

The purpose of the invention is to effect a complete modernization of store fixtures, such as ancient shelves already installed, and to provide a means for applying new inclosing fronts to the older shelves, so that such shelves at the same time may remain in place and be utilized for stock holding purposes without any disturbance of their present arrangement.

- Many old time stores are equipped with open shelves, which are insanitary, by reason of their exposure to dust and dirt collecting, and present also an unattractive appearance by reason of the general lack of uniformity in the arrangement of the goods and articles displayed thereon.

My invention resides in a new arrangement of a complete front upon the shelves, which front is constructed of units of suitableproportions and pleasing design, such as will contribute to a complete rehabilita tion of the older store shelving. It is also a part of my invention to construct the new front units so that samples of the goods and articles stored on the shelves may be displayed, while the reserve stock of goods on the shelves will be effectively concealed from view, and the unsightliness of the same eliminated. The front units are provided with doors to conceal the reserve stock, and these at the same time act as carriers for the samples displayed.

In one form of my invention, the doors referred to are formed with shallow compartments in which samples may be placed for display through a glazed front, the compartment being formed with a hinged back, 'foreasy access to the space therein. In a simpler form, the compartments may be omitted, and panel doors used. These lat ter may be either hinged or sliding.

Specific details residing in the invention will hereinafter be described, and the novelty residing in the same will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing my invention with compartments in the glazed doors thereof, as: applied to an installation of old shelving mounted upon a base.

Fig. 2 is a like view showing my invention in its simpler form, and applied in the manner described.

Fig. 3 is a schematicview in transverse vertical section, through the special front shown in Fig. 1, and showing in separated 1927. Serial No. 187,458.

relation the shelf front, the ledge, and the front for the wider and deeper shelving usually provided as a supporting base for the upper shelves.

Fig. 3 shows a form of tie plate adapted to attach the top of the front unit to the fixture already in place, and thus maintain the parts in assembled position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an angle tie plate designed to attach the ledge member of the front unit to the ledge of the fixture already in place.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View through the simplified panel front unit shown in Fig. 2, showing the elements in separated relation.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the elements of Fig. 3 in assembled and united position, and the structure as it appears after installation.

Fig. 6 is a like view showing the elements of the simpler form of Fig. 4 in assembled and united position, as in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view from front to rear, showing the front unit of Fig. 6 as applied to a stack comprising a base, a ledge, and the usual stack of upper or superposed shelves, of the older installation already in place, the outlines and proportions of the latter being indicated by broken lines.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the elements of a further modified construction in which sliding doors are used, the parts being shown in separated relation.

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the ele ments of Fig. 8 in their assembled relation, and also the ledge of the older installation already in place.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 7 of the drawings, the structure shown by broken lines is the usual installation of open shelves already in position. These views show my invention in some of'its forms as applied thereto.

Starting with the open front base, or wider and deeper compartments, which usually support the tier of narrower upper shelving, I form a frame work of suitable length and height, comprised of cross members l0 and 11 with risers 12 and 13, so arranged as to provide one or more rectangular openings in each frame unit, in which are hinged theidoors 1 1. In Figs. 1, 3 and 5, these doors in the rear of the glazed fronts thereof, are provided with shallow compartments 15, at the rear of each of which is hinged a back plate 16, permitting easy ac cess to the said compartments for the purpose of displaying upon the front side of the back plate 16, samples of the reserve stock of goods or articles stored upon the shelves immediately in the rear thereof. A suitable catch 17 is employed to retain the back plate 16 in closed relation to the compartment. A longitudinal back stop 18 for the lower cross member 11 of the door 14, acts as a distance piece which abuts the base board 19 of the old fixture. Below the said stop and secured thereto near the rear edge of the latter, is a bar 20, through which screws 21 are passed, the screws be ing entered into the base board 19 of the old fixture, as shown in Fig. 7.

The ledge 22 of the new unit has inset at the under side thereof and attached near its front edge, two strips 23 and 24, which are separated for the reception of the upper cross member of the door frame unit, the lower edge of the strip 24: extending below the member 10 sufiiciently to form a back stop for the door 14 at its upper edge. The angle iron 25 shown in Fig. 3 is attached by screws to the rear side of the strip 24, and also to the under side of the ledge 26 of the older structure, whereby the ledge 22 with its guiding members 23 and 24 may be firmly positioned upon the structure already in place, and maintain the door frame with its door and compartment firmly in position. The lower cross member may be attached to the stop 18. The arms of the angle plate 25 are provided with elongated openings through which the screws pass, so as to permit such slight variation of adjustment as may be found to be desirable in positioning the parts. The height of the lower cross member 11 of the lower door front unit for the shelving will. determine the elevation of the door, and the vertical depth of the space between the strips 23 and 24 at the under side of the ledge 22,

will permit a slight variation in the position of the upper cross bar 1.0 of the door frame, and so obviate the necessity for close fitting at that poipt.

Considering next the superposed shelf front, the lower or base member 26 of the frame is rabbeted at its front edge so as to form a stop for the lower edge of the compartment door 27 constructed in the'manner described with relation to the lower compart door 14. The risers or divisions 28, connected to the member 26, are connected at their upper ends by a longitudinal piece 29, to complete the door frame. The projecting lower edge of the parallel filler piece forms a stop for the upper rail of the door 27. The parts 29 and 30 obviously may be as one piece, and the door stop rabbeted therein. A cap 31 is attached to the door frame, and by means of the plate 32, shown in Fig. 3 the cap is connected to the top of the older structure already installed, in the manner shown in Fig. 7. Long screws 32 are passed through the lower member 26 of the door frame, through the ledge 22, and into the ledge 26 of the existing structure, to unite the three elements of the unit. The edge of the cap 31 will project somewhat beyond the vertical plane of the door, and a facing strip 33 may be attached thereto, the space between the upper member 29 of the door frame and the facing strip 33 being filled by suitable moulding 34.

The construction hereinbefore described sets forth my invention in its most complete and serviceable form. The provision of the compartments in the upper and lower doors for the display of samples of the goods held in reserve on the shelves in the rear permits a ready and very attractive modernization of the shelves of older structures, without disturbing or replacing the latter, and at a minimum expense in the attainment of very desirable results.

The construction shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, is quitesimilar to that above described, except that the swinging upper and lower doors are paneled as at 35 and 36, instead of being provided with compartments as before.

Likewise constructed, is that form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which instead of swinging doors, sliding panel frames 37 and 38 are used, these being suitably directed by guides 39 and 40 for movement of one past the other, so as to permit access to the stock of goods stored therebehind.

In all forms of the invention, the usuall ragged and unassorted display of the stoct of goods is concealed from the view of the public. The construction may be either of wood or metal. The quick assembly and installation which the present invention per mits, avoids any interruption of the transaction of business, and the transformation of the ancient fixtures into modern ones is easily achieved. The units having been prepared,the placing of them in position and connecting them up is a simple task.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A separate store-shelving front-unit constituted of a base front section and an upper shelf front section, with a ledge interposed between the said sections and designed to be attached to a fixture already in position, the upper section and the ledge' being secured to the said fixture, with provisions at the under side of the ledge to permit variation of the position of the base section with relation to the ledge.

2. A separate store-shelving front-unit constituted of a base front section and an upper front shelf section, with a ledge interposed between the said sections and de signed to be attached to a fixture already in position, the upper section and the ledge being secured to the said fixture, with spaced guiding members at the under side of the ledge to receive the base section and permit variation in its position with relation to the ledge.

3. A separate store-shelving front-unit constituted of a base front section and an upper front shelf section, with a ledge interposed between the said sections and designed to be attached to a fixture already in position, the upper section and the ledge 15 being secured to the said fixture, with spaced guiding members at the under side of the ledge to receive the base section and permit variation in its position with relation to the ledge, and the said sections being provided with shallow comparments glazed at the front for display of the goods stored in the fixture.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name at Chicago, Illinois, this 23 day of 25 April, 1927.

JAMES B. MURDOCH. 

